How To Avoid Ear Infection In Babies
Ear infection is very common during childhood. In this article, we will look at some basic preventative measures to prevent ear infection in babies.
Ear pain is probably one of the most painful things a person can feel. It is also one of the main symptoms of ear infection.
What is an ear infection?
Ear infection in babies is caused by microorganisms that cause inflammation, which thus leads to intense pain. There are two types of ear infections:
- Otitis media, which is an infection of the middle ear and which affects the ear canal behind the eardrum. It is very common in early childhood and is caused by contagious infections. Among the risk factors, we have temperature changes and that the child is exposed to tobacco smoke. The child can also be exposed to infection in kindergarten.
- External otitis, which is caused by an inflammation of the external ear canal. It is generally caused by water entering the ear. It can also be caused by using a cotton swab too far into the ear.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is earache, which can be accompanied by blocked ears, itching and even runny earwax.
Other symptoms that may occur are the following:
- General discomfort
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Excretion of fluid in the ear
- Frequent irritation
- Lack of appetite
Consequences of ear infection
An ear infection is generally not a serious disease, and can be easily cured without any long-term consequences.
Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used. Remember to only use these medications under the supervision of a doctor.
In extreme cases, ear infections can have long-lasting effects, such as a chronic infection that keeps coming back.
Ear infections during childhood put children at greater risk for hearing problems later in life, which depends on how serious the infection was.
Tips to avoid ear infection in babies
As mentioned earlier, ear infection is very common in babies. However, these tips can help you prevent an ear infection:
- Doctors recommend breastfeeding for the first six months. Breast milk helps the baby to develop a good immune system. Breastfeeding will therefore help you protect your baby from ear infections as well as other infections.
- Remove mucus. This tip is almost as important as the first. Teach your child to cheat so that he does not inhale mucus. If mucus accumulates in the ear canals, this can lead to ear infection.
The following tips are not as important as the ones we have discussed above, but they can help counteract ear infections:
- Be careful when using cotton swabs when cleaning your baby’s ears. It may seem strange, but keep in mind that earwax is there to protect the ear. Many doctors recommend not using tops in the baby’s ear at all, at least for the first two years.
- Turn the baby’s head when bathing it to avoid water accumulating in the ear as this is one of the main causes of ear infection in both children and adults.
- Avoid hot and humid environments as well as smoky places.
- See a specialist as soon as you see that the child is in pain.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to avoid 100% ear infection in babies. Be sure to pay attention to whether the child has any of the symptoms we have listed above. You will then be able to help the child as soon as possible.
If an ear infection hurts adults, who can talk about the pain and take medication to control the symptoms, then think about how it hurts a baby who cannot express himself.
Think about the tips we have discussed above to reduce the risk of ear infection in babies.
